New York Gov. Cuomo and Challenger Cynthia Nixon Spar in Tense Debate

The two faced off in their only matchup before the Democratic primary next month

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Cynthia Nixon criticized each other during the televised event on Long Island.Photo: Craig Ruttle/Press Pool

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By

Katie Honan

Updated Aug. 29, 2018 8:49 p.m. ET

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Democratic challenger Cynthia Nixon came out swinging in their gubernatorial debate Wednesday evening, with each taking shots at one another’s credentials as they sparred over the aging subway system, public corruption and campaign-finance reform.

The debate was the one and only contest between the two before the Sept. 13 primary for governor. Mr. Cuomo seized the opportunity to criticize Ms. Nixon, a 52-year-old actor and activist who has never run for office, for her lack of experience.

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Democratic challenger Cynthia Nixon came out swinging in their gubernatorial debate Wednesday evening, with each taking shots at one another’s credentials as they sparred over the aging subway system, public corruption and campaign-finance reform.

The debate was the one and only contest between the two before the Sept. 13 primary for governor. Mr. Cuomo seized the opportunity to criticize Ms. Nixon, a 52-year-old actor and activist who has never run for office, for her lack of experience.

“The governor of New York is not a job about politics, it’s not about advocacy,” he said. “It’s about doing. It’s about management. This is real life.”

Ms. Nixon said her years as an advocate for education and LGBTQ rights primed her for the position. Being governor, she said, should be measured by efficiency, not years in office.

“I’m not an Albany insider, like Gov. Cuomo, but I think that experience doesn’t mean that much if you’re not actually good at governing,” she said.

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The debate, held at Hofstra University, aired on CBS television affiliates across New York state and on 1010-WINS radio. It was the first-ever for Ms. Nixon, who used the forum to show another side to voters who may know her best from her role on TV’s “Sex & the City.”

She entered the debate an underdog: A July 18 Quinnipiac University poll puts Mr. Cuomo ahead of her by more than 30 points, leading in all voter categories. His campaign also has dwarfed hers in fundraising. As of Aug. 28, the governor spent more than $5.3 million, with more than $31 million left in his campaign account.

Ms. Nixon was on the attack during the showdown, talking over the 60-year-old governor, challenging him on his record and accusing him of changing his position on marijuana legalization only after she said she supported it.

“Can you stop interrupting?,” a flustered Mr. Cuomo asked during one of the many times Ms. Nixon spoke while he was answering a question from the debate host, Marcia Kramer.

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“Can you stop lying?” she said in response.

The debate questions ranged from the toll on the new Mario Cuomo Bridge to marijuana legalization to corruption in Albany.

When asked if he would delay the proposed Metropolitan Transportation Authority fare increase to help commuters, Mr. Cuomo deflected the question, saying the city and the state shared the responsibility of funding the subways. “We need the city and the state to both share the fiscal responsibility,” he said.

Ms. Nixon, who has made public transportation a key issue in her campaign, said she would delay the increase.

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“I think it’s unconscionable that Gov. Cuomo is thinking about raising fares on a system that is working so poorly,” she said. The governor controls the subway system, she noted. “To pretend anything else is completely disingenuous.”

Tomeka Robinson, an associate professor of rhetoric and public advocacy at Hofstra University, said Ms. Nixon came off as a strong contender against the governor.

“By her showing that while she’s not an Albany insider but she has some very clear ideas and is very knowledgeable on state policies, budgeting and everything else, people will see her as a nice alternative to Gov. Cuomo,” Dr. Robinson said.

Lis Smith, a spokeswoman for Mr. Cuomo’s campaign, said Ms. Nixon tried—but failed—to get under the governor’s skin. “She showed that she didn’t have the experience or the temperament to be governor,” she said.

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Despite the contentious debate, the pair found one thing to agree one: They both kept their distance from the possibility of an endorsement from Mayor New York City Bill de Blasio, a fellow Democrat.

“He makes his own decisions, I wouldn’t tell him what to do,” the governor, who has publicly feuded with the mayor for years, said when asked if he would accept an endorsement from Mr. de Blasio.

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